Premiership Rugby backing the RPA’s Restart charity

January 7, 2016

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Round 20 of Aviva Premiership Rugby on 16 and 17 April will be dedicated to the official charity of the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA), Restart Rugby, with the aim of raising £25,000 to support the work of Restart Rugby in helping current and former RPA members as well as nationwide community grassroots initiatives, such as the Urban Rugby Squad.

Our players give their all for team, club and country, but their lives and careers can change in a split second. When the worst happens, Restart Rugby is there to provide players and their families with financial, practical and emotional support during difficult times, including help with medical treatment, rehabilitation, counselling and career transition.

Damian Hopley, Group CEO of the RPA, said: "We want to build on the awareness of last season’s Restart Rugby weekend and make this year’s event even bigger and better. All the funds raised go back into helping those players who have suffered injury, illness or hardship, as well as nationwide community coaching projects, so we would ask everyone to support this fantastic charity and help make a real difference to our player’s lives. Another special thanks to Premieship Rugby and their member clubs for making this event happen, the players are incredibly grateful for this fantastic support."

Former England international and Restart Rugby trustee, Ben Kay, said: "For players to have access to the support of Restart Rugby is vital. Your career can come to an end at any moment and not always on your own terms, so to have someone there to help you through the transition and assist in building your future is fundamental."

Wayne Morris, Premiership Rugby’s Community & Corporate Social Responsibility Director, said "It’s fantastic to be once again supporting Restart Rugby. Player welfare is of paramount importance and programmes like Urban Rugby Squad inspire young people through the power of Premiership Rugby players as role models. The Restart Rugby Weekend provides the perfect platform to help promote the great work of the Players’ Charity to wider the public."

For updates about Restart Rugby weekend follow @RestartRugby on twitter and show your support using the official hashtag #RestartRugbyWeekend